It is hard to believe but the last dog days of August are upon us, Fall will soon be here - I can feel it creeping closer every morning. There is a chill to the morning air that only Fall can bring ...
This does not make me sad - I love Fall the best. It is my favorite time of year and I am anxious for it's return. Slow down, I tell myself, Do not rush the final days of summer. Be patient and enjoy what is left of your time in the summer garden ...
Time is patient - but I am not!
Yes, summer is still here and shows it's true colors by mid-morning most days. Summer drains me: I love the sun but hate the heat and so even though it feels like it has flown by - it has done so at a snail's pace (especially on the near 100 degree days).
I celebrate the flowers that my garden still sees fit to bring me every day. They raise their blooms toward the sky seeking the sun during the coolness of the morning never knowing that the heat of the summer lies in wait - soon to make it's midday assault upon them ...
I water often, sometimes twice in a single day, to offer them some sort of defense. But still, the heat patiently waits to have it's way with them ...
Summer is patient, but I am not.
My garden and all those who inhabit it, have, so far, remained steadfast in their quest to bedazzled my meager plot - and while I know they do so in spite of me rather than on my behalf - I applaud them nonetheless.
Each plants, each bud - waits patiently for it's moment to shine all the while unaware that time may not be on their side. I admire their bravery - never once are they afraid to rise up out of the safety of the earth and face all the cruelty that Mother Nature and this gardener heaps upon them. Never once do they complain, never once do they shy away from the task at hand ...
They are patient, but I am not!
Not all the wonderful in my garden comes from the plants & flowers - there is a understated beauty in these aging Watering Cans of mine. They know all the secrets of my garden - I love my old weather beaten Water Cans - they are so low tech!
And, while my garden hose and drippers can certainly quench the thirst of my flowers faster & easier than these old Watering cans can - they lack the charm, the closeness and the one-on-one that these old Watering Cans afford this gardener.
So, they sit patiently everyday waiting every day for their turn to water my lovely's.
They never complain, they are never jealous of the hoses or drippers, they just wait, patiently - knowing their turn will come, knowing one morning I will take the time to fill them ...
They are patient, but I am not.
So I'll admit, most mornings my dripper system force feeds water to all my baskets, pots and land-bound flowers and those beyond the dripper's reach usually get a impersonal squirt from the hose but every once in a golden while - I take a deep breath, relax, slow-down & grab the 'old gray Water Can' and get up close & personal with my blooms ...
This summer I have fallen in love with the color combination of yellow, orange and pink - I think these colors - when planted in the same pot - just seem to play well together, they are bouncy, energetic and joyful - almost CHILDLIKE ...
When a gauzy, purple butterfly,
Softly tilts a golden flower,
It's cool wings ease the summer flame
As laughter soothes a troubled hour.
- C. E. Cottam -

I always hold my garden in high esteem but it is never my work in the garden that I admire - it is always the 'gardens work' I praise and this summer I am especially proud of the considerable effort & care put out by the 'coleus' that grows in a pot near my fountain.
This year, unlike years past, they seem to have lost their shyness. They have flourished in their new found comfort and seem to have settled into my gardens way of thinking nicely - this year they have an opinion - are not afraid to show it ...
This morning when I got up my teeny tiny little garden was FULL of birds ... they were everywhere - in the trees, bathing in the fountain, sipping on nectar from both the feeder and the flowers! And they were chirping up a storm. Busy, busy! Much to do, I think, much to be done!
As I looked out of my scraproom window and watched them, I got caught up in all their rambunctious excitement and flurry!
I grabbed my coffee & camera and headed down to my morning coffee spot outside in the garden. I had hopes of sneaking a few pictures of their morning activity and antics.
From upstairs I had seen a nuthatch playing in the fountain - they are my favorite bird. I rarely see them in my garden and I wanted to get a picture of him.
But, as soon as I got settled I noticed how quiet it had become in garden. They always become quiet and fearful when I come down - so I sit down quietly and wait ... patiently.
I know If I sit very still and wait - I will become invisible, and they will come back or so I think. And so I wait ... and wait and wait but still they stay away. They hide. I know they can see me ... waiting but I cannot see them.
They are patient, but I am not!
So, I return to my perch upstairs, my scraproom, my nest and before I even take up residence in the window once again I hear them. They are back. They have waited me out and as I look down on the garden I see them ... busy flitting & flying about as though I had never even entered their world or disturbed their day.
They both fascinate & infuriate me ...
I should learn to be more like this wayward little owl who just sits perched on the pillar ... quiet as the mouse I am sure he is dreaming of ...
He just sits, silently - watching the garden grow, watching the birds making fun of him as they zoom by. They can fly - he can only sit upon the fence.
He is patient, but I am not!
I have only 2 roses bushes in my garden and despite my thoughtless care - they never disappoint ...
"God gave us memories that we may have roses in December."
- J. M. Barrie -
Have a Great Day & Find your Patience
- N -